MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak
The MV Hondius was cleared to resume operations on June 13, 2026, after extensive cleaning and disinfection, following a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in 13 cases (12 confirmed, 1 probable) and three deaths. As of June 13, 2026, ten American passengers remain under active monitoring in the U.S., while two Texas residents completed their 42-day observation without symptoms. Investigations by the WHO and ECDC are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak, which included a confirmed case in Saint Helena and prompted rodent testing in Mendoza, Argentina.
Timeline
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June 2026 — 8 developments
The MV Hondius has been cleared to resume operations after extensive cleaning and disinfection, with a doctor onboard for its seven-day expedition.
The MV Hondius has been cleared to resume operations after extensive cleaning and disinfection, with a doctor onboard for its seven-day expedition. As of June 11, 2026, there were 13 cases (12 confirmed, 1 probable) and three deaths linked to the outbreak, with ten American passengers still under active monitoring in the U.S. Investigations by the WHO and ECDC are ongoing to determine the source.
Two Texas residents who were monitored for potential hantavirus exposure after traveling aboard the …
Two Texas residents who were monitored for potential hantavirus exposure after traveling aboard the MV Hondius have successfully completed their 42-day observation period without showing any symptoms. Texas health officials confirmed these individuals are no longer under any public health restrictions.
Saint Helena has reported one confirmed case of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius outbreak.
Saint Helena has reported one confirmed case of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius outbreak. The individual, a male resident who disembarked the ship on April 14, developed symptoms on April 28. This case is part of the ongoing global investigation into the outbreak.
Argentina is expanding its investigation into the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak by trapping and testing rodents in Mendoza province, with support from U.
Argentina is expanding its investigation into the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak by trapping and testing rodents in Mendoza province, with support from U.S. CDC biologists. This effort aims to understand the spread of the Andes virus, which had caused 13 cases and three deaths as of May 27, 2026.
The first Spanish passenger infected with hantavirus from the MV Hondius outbreak has been discharged from the hospital after recovering.
The first Spanish passenger infected with hantavirus from the MV Hondius outbreak has been discharged from the hospital after recovering. Twelve other Spanish passengers continue to test negative and remain under quarantine. This is part of the ongoing monitoring of over 600 contacts globally following the outbreak which caused 13 cases and three deaths.
Five American passengers exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius have been cleared from quarantine at a Nebraska facility as of June 1, 2026.
Five American passengers exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius have been cleared from quarantine at a Nebraska facility as of June 1, 2026. They will complete their 42-day monitoring period at home after remaining symptom-free. The ship has since been cleaned and disinfected and is scheduled to resume service on June 13, 2026.
The MV Hondius has been cleared to resume service on June 1, 2026, following extensive cleaning and disinfection in Rotterdam, with no rodents found onboard.
The MV Hondius has been cleared to resume service on June 1, 2026, following extensive cleaning and disinfection in Rotterdam, with no rodents found onboard. This follows a hantavirus outbreak of the Andes strain that occurred in April-May 2026, resulting in 13 reported cases and three deaths.
The U.S. government has offered American passengers exposed to Hantavirus on the MV Hondius a condit…
The U.S. government has offered American passengers exposed to Hantavirus on the MV Hondius a conditional deal to complete their quarantine at home. This requires their home states to agree to 24/7 monitoring by law enforcement or health workers to ensure isolation. The CDC is managing the 42-day quarantine period.
May 2026 — 13 developments
The WHO reports a stable situation with 13 confirmed Hantavirus cases and three deaths linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship as of May 28, 2026.
The WHO reports a stable situation with 13 confirmed Hantavirus cases and three deaths linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship as of May 28, 2026. Contact tracing and monitoring are ongoing for over 600 individuals across 32 countries and territories, with the US government preparing to allow quarantined American passengers to return home under monitoring.
The hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius has reached 13 cases, including three fatalities, with two additional cases confirmed in the past five days as of May 27, 2026.
The hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius has reached 13 cases, including three fatalities, with two additional cases confirmed in the past five days as of May 27, 2026. Contact tracing for passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena is ongoing, with South Africa reporting 97 identified contacts. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and ECDC last updated its information on May 26, 2026, reporting 13 total cases and 3 deaths.
A Spanish passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus while in quarantine in Madrid and has been moved to an isolation unit.
A Spanish passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus while in quarantine in Madrid and has been moved to an isolation unit. As of May 26, 2026, nine confirmed or suspected cases have been linked to the ship, with three deaths reported by the ECDC as of May 20, 2026.
As of May 22, 2026, there have been 12 reported cases and 3 deaths linked to a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
As of May 22, 2026, there have been 12 reported cases and 3 deaths linked to a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. No new cases have been reported since May 20, and the ship is undergoing sanitation in Rotterdam.
All passengers and crew from the MV Hondius on repatriation flights have tested negative for the Andes virus as of May 20, 2026.
All passengers and crew from the MV Hondius on repatriation flights have tested negative for the Andes virus as of May 20, 2026. The 27 individuals remaining on board also tested negative. The ship is undergoing cleaning and disinfection in Rotterdam.
The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection following a hantavirus outbreak caused by the Andes virus.
The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection following a hantavirus outbreak caused by the Andes virus. International efforts, including epidemiological investigations, case isolation, and contact tracing, are ongoing to manage the situation, which began in April 2026 and has resulted in multiple confirmed and probable cases, as well as several deaths.
The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived in Rotterdam for disinfection and quarantine of its remaining crew.
The MV Hondius cruise ship has arrived in Rotterdam for disinfection and quarantine of its remaining crew. As of May 18, 2026, 18 U.S. passengers repatriated from the ship are under quarantine orders in Nebraska through May 31. The ship operator stated that future operations are not expected to be affected.
As of May 18, 2026, the MV Hondius has completed its voyage, and passengers have been repatriated to their home countries.
As of May 18, 2026, the MV Hondius has completed its voyage, and passengers have been repatriated to their home countries. Ongoing monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed to the hantavirus continues, with health authorities worldwide collaborating to track potential secondary infections and ensure containment of the outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius as a low public health risk, stating it is not the beginning of a pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius as a low public health risk, stating it is not the beginning of a pandemic. The outbreak has resulted in 11 cases, including three deaths, with the latest fatality reported on May 2, 2026. Contact tracing is ongoing globally for passengers who disembarked at various ports.
The MV Hondius arrived at its final destination, Cape Verde, where remaining passengers and crew underwent health screenings.
The MV Hondius arrived at its final destination, Cape Verde, where remaining passengers and crew underwent health screenings. While no new cases were reported among those still on board, the focus remained on the health status of individuals who had disembarked at various ports throughout the voyage.
Further analysis of the virus strain confirmed it as the Andes virus, known for its capacity for human-to-human transmission.
Further analysis of the virus strain confirmed it as the Andes virus, known for its capacity for human-to-human transmission. This finding underscored the critical importance of isolating infected individuals and monitoring all close contacts. Public health advisories were updated to reflect the specific risks associated with this strain of hantavirus.
A total of five confirmed hantavirus cases, including two deaths, were officially linked to the MV Hondius outbreak by this date.
A total of five confirmed hantavirus cases, including two deaths, were officially linked to the MV Hondius outbreak by this date. Investigations focused on identifying the precise source of the initial infection and understanding the transmission dynamics within the confined environment of the ship. The high mortality rate associated with the Andes virus strain raised significant public health concerns.
Contact tracing efforts expanded significantly as more countries reported passengers from the MV Hondius arriving within their borders.
Contact tracing efforts expanded significantly as more countries reported passengers from the MV Hondius arriving within their borders. Public health agencies in Europe, South America, and Africa initiated monitoring of individuals who had been on the ship, particularly those who had contact with confirmed cases or disembarked at high-risk ports like Saint Helena.
April 2026 — 8 developments
The World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius and began coordinating international response efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius and began coordinating international response efforts. The organization emphasized the importance of robust contact tracing across all countries where passengers had disembarked, given the global nature of the cruise's itinerary and the potential for human-to-human transmission of the Andes virus.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the MV Hondius, issued a statement acknowledging the hantavirus outbreak and expressing condolences to the affected families.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of the MV Hondius, issued a statement acknowledging the hantavirus outbreak and expressing condolences to the affected families. The company stated its full cooperation with health authorities in their investigations and contact tracing efforts. They also initiated internal reviews of their health and safety protocols during the voyage.
Health authorities in South Africa confirmed that the deaths of the Dutch passenger's wife and anoth…
Health authorities in South Africa confirmed that the deaths of the Dutch passenger's wife and another individual who had recently traveled from the MV Hondius were due to Andes virus (hantavirus). This official confirmation marked the first diagnosis of the outbreak and triggered immediate public health responses, including enhanced contact tracing and isolation protocols for potentially exposed individuals.
The wife of the first Dutch passenger who died on the MV Hondius passed away in South Africa.
The wife of the first Dutch passenger who died on the MV Hondius passed away in South Africa. Her death, occurring shortly after disembarking at Saint Helena and traveling to Johannesburg, further heightened suspicions of a transmissible disease. This event prompted more urgent investigations into the cause of illness and death among passengers from the cruise.
A significant number of the passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena proceeded to Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 25.
A significant number of the passengers who disembarked at Saint Helena proceeded to Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 25. This travel route became a critical point for contact tracing as the hantavirus outbreak began to be understood, with some of these individuals later developing symptoms or testing positive for the virus.
During a scheduled stop at the remote British island of Saint Helena, approximately 30 passengers disembarked the MV Hondius.
During a scheduled stop at the remote British island of Saint Helena, approximately 30 passengers disembarked the MV Hondius. Among them was the wife of the first passenger who had died on board. This disembarkation occurred before the hantavirus outbreak was officially confirmed, leading to concerns about potential onward transmission as these passengers continued their travels to various international destinations.
The 70-year-old Dutch passenger who fell ill on April 6 died aboard the MV Hondius.
The 70-year-old Dutch passenger who fell ill on April 6 died aboard the MV Hondius. His death was initially attributed to natural causes, and no samples were taken at the time, as hantavirus was not suspected. This marked the first death related to the outbreak, with his body later being taken ashore in Saint Helena.
A 70-year-old Dutch man, later identified as the index case, began exhibiting symptoms including fever, headache, stomach pain, and diarrhea approximately a week into the voyage.
A 70-year-old Dutch man, later identified as the index case, began exhibiting symptoms including fever, headache, stomach pain, and diarrhea approximately a week into the voyage. At this stage, the cause of his illness was not suspected to be hantavirus, and no specific diagnostic tests were performed. His condition would eventually lead to the first fatality of the outbreak.